Serena Williams Responds To Skin Bleaching Allegations

Serena Williams isn’t shying away from any of the allegations coming her way, addressing them head on during a recent makeup tutorial.

Source: Marc Piasecki / Getty

The Wyn Beauty founder took to Instagram Live on Monday, Dec. 2, to do a makeup tutorial for fans. While she did her makeup, Williams took the opportunity to address the “ridiculous” claims from “haters” that she bleaches her skin, vehemently denying she’s done anything of the sort.

These rumors began after the 23-time Grand Slam champion shared a video of herself at a school event with her husband Alexis Ohanian and their two daughters Olympia, 7, and Adira, 15 months. In the clip, many people thought her complexion looked lighter than usual, which led to allegations that she purposely altered her complexion.

While addressing the controversy during her makeup tutorial recorded by LiveBitez, Williams explained that she was volunteering at her daughter’s play and was wearing “stage makeup” when she recorded the clip.

“And then I put just that neutral color, that is actually my skin color, and no, for you haters out there, I do not bleach my skin,” Williams said as she applied her Wyn Beauty products. “There is a thing called sunlight, and in that sunlight, you get different colors.”

She continued, “Yes, I’m calling you out on this because it is ridiculous…Everyone’s like, ‘Oh, she bleached her skin.’ I’m a dark, Black woman, and I love who I am, and I love how I look.”

Serena went on to say that she has no problems with anyone who may lighten their skin but insists it’s “just not my thing.”

“And if people do it, that’s their thing, and they have every opportunity and they should. I don’t judge, but you guys do,” she continued. “But that’s what this world is about, and I stay in my lane — the non-judgy one, and I keep it. But no, I actually don’t bleach my skin, so can we just kinda clear that up?”